Exercise - Working Back to it After or During Treatment

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  • Amelia123
    Amelia123 Member Posts: 96
    edited July 2014

    NatsFan, thanks for the advice and links.  Much appreciated! I did pretty much rest my hands on the arm part.  My legs did all the work, and my arms were along for the ride.  And it thrilled me that I was able to do that.  I don't want to push or pull, or do anything working the pecs.  I'm still scared of that, and figure my body will let me know when to start.  But it's always nice to hear what others were told and what others are doing.

    PS I'm a Nats fan too!

  • JenKay2001
    JenKay2001 Member Posts: 119
    edited July 2014

    Hi guys, Jen here, from San Diego.

    Just thought I'd introduce myself and tell you guys where I'm at:

    I had my bilateral mastectomy with expanders on May 30th, and I just started chemotherapy last Wednesday. Before all of this I was an avid hiker, constantly on my bicycle, in the ocean everyday after work in the summer... You get the idea. Now? An hour or so of mild to moderate activity ends up with a four-hour nap. My energy levels are really, really low after the chemo, although hopefully now that the first week has passed that will improve-my treatments are every 3 weeks.

    I returned to gentle/restorative yoga about 5 1/2 weeks after my surgery. Went for about a week and a half, then started chemo a week ago and just went back to the studio this morning. The classes I'm doing now are mostly sitting and lying down, with a lot of hip-opening type of stuff and breathing.

    Haven't been able to do much walking, I've just been too clobbered. In theory I'll be dragging myself down to the gym for some light cardio, like walking on the treadmill or elliptical soon- my goal is this weekend. I'd prefer to walk around the neighborhood or the park but nowadays I can't stand any kind of heat without busting out in a rash (even though I used to pretty much live in the sun!) and I can't get myself up early enough to take advantage of the early morning cool time. 

    I'm just trying my best to keep at least a tiny bit active, and trying my best not to beat myself up for not being able to do what I think I "should" be able to. 

    It's great to see everyone here working towards their goals and supporting each other, and it hope I can be a part of that as well!

    Here's a question: I'm so worried about the germ thing with the chemo- is it maybe actually a BAD idea to go to the gym? I can't see myself working out with a mask on...

    Anyway, nice to meet you all. I'll read through the older posts a little more and get a sense of who's who now :)

  • Amelia123
    Amelia123 Member Posts: 96
    edited July 2014

    Hi Jen, and welcome! It sounds like you are extremely athletic, and it might be hard to slow down during your treatments.  Start slow, and maybe stay slow for a while.  The most important thing is to not beat yourself up for what you do or don't do!  You'll have time after this is over to get back to your regular routine.  Don't be mad or sad if you just want to lay around for a few days after each chemo.  I took it easy (sometimes I was a slug) the first 3 days of each cycle, and then was able to function pretty normally in everyday life.

    During chemo I did not go to the gym at all. Not because of germs, just that I didn't want to work out with a wig/hat/scarf and was not brave enough to be bald there.  Before my mastectomy I went to the gym A LOT to get my body as strong as it could be for the surgery and beyond.  Then, like I said, I did nothing for almost 6 months.  After my permanent implants I started going back to the gym, and I'm told it will help with fatigue from the rads (which I started a few weeks ago).  It's amazing how quickly I got back into my regular cardio.  I'm still scared about upper body and yoga. My gym doesn't have a gentle yoga, but I hope to get back to yoga soon. 

    I'm pretty sure it will be easy for you to get back to an active life, although it will probably be a different active life.  For now, you have to be careful with the TEs.  My doctor warned me not to do anything involving pecs. Keep us posted!

  • Amelia123
    Amelia123 Member Posts: 96
    edited July 2014

    Just wondering if anyone has done the "ropes" after reconstruction.  I'm talking about the two thick white ropes in the gym, that you hold one in each hand, and then move your arms up and down making the ropes move in a fluid up/down motion.

  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited July 2014

    jenkay - the gym decision should probably be made based on your white count.  If your WBC is high enough, and you take sensible precautions like using antimicrobial wipes for the machines and hand-washing, you should be ok.  I would take off your workout clothes right when you get home too and leave your shoes outside if you can.  I had Neulasta after each chemo that kept my WBC in good shape and I did go to the gym for very light workouts and treadmill walking when I felt decent.

    Amelia - I did ropes in my Livestrong class of cancer survivors at the Y.  No problems, but pace yourself.

  • JenKay2001
    JenKay2001 Member Posts: 119
    edited July 2014

    yeah I just had a really bad WBC crash and ended up in the hospital for a couple of days with neutropenic fever. Will definitely be incorporating the neulasta into my regular cycle after this to prevent that from happening again. Haven't had a day where I've felt good enough to think about the gym yet, but now I'm freaked put enough by everything that I will likely avoid it anyway. Time to start getting up early for walks before it gets too hot!

  • Mischief46
    Mischief46 Member Posts: 217
    edited July 2014

    Hi all, new here.. Here is my story, I had a BMX on May 19th and have finished the fills for reconstruction and waiting on the exchange surgery in Sept.  I am a personal trainer and (before surgery) taught fitness classes.  I have not done any real upper body exercises yet and just went to the gym to work out for the first time last week.  I feel like I have no upper body strength. I have trouble opening some jars! My PS said I should probably forget about push ups, flies and bench press for now and even after exchange.   Even some upper body exercises that don't directly use my pec's still felt weird sometimes, so I don't know if I should continue. I am  trying not to get to discouraged, I miss doing pull ups and my boss wants to know when I will be back leading classes, I just say I have no idea.  Is October too optimistic, or is 3 months after exchange more realistic??

    Amelia123: the ropes should be fine since you are pulling the ropes up against gravity , you are mostly using your deltoids (shoulders).  

  • Amelia123
    Amelia123 Member Posts: 96
    edited July 2014

    JenKay- I got the neulasta shot after each chemo and I believe it helped.  Never had a low blood count.  I was told to take a Claritan the day before, during and after Neulasta to help with any potential side effects.  It was the nurses who suggested it.  Since I did not have any SE, it probably worked. I went to the grocery store and got the generic version for $1.99 for 24 tablets. Oh ya, they said to take Claritan but not Claritan D.  But please check with your nurse/onc to be sure.

    Mischief - welcome! We have a similar diagnosis, except for the nodes. (lucky you!)  My PS was adamant about being very careful and no exercises involving the pecs with the TEs.  I think you can easily damage them.  After the exchange you will feel better and can slowly start working the upper body.  From these boards it is evident that everyone is moving ahead at a different pace, so I can't give you any advice.  I am 6 weeks out from my exchange but am still scared to do much at the gym involving my arms and chest.  But my legs are powerful! Hopefully someone farther out can help you.

  • Mischief46
    Mischief46 Member Posts: 217
    edited July 2014

    Amelia123, Thanks for the welcome,  I guess I will just wait it out.  I don't want to get this far and mess it all up because I was to impatient.  My Breast Navigator has said to not worry about working out for now but it is hard to just stop after years of it being an almost every day thing.  Oh well, I am blessed in many ways and have high hopes for 2015!  :-)  

  • Amelia123
    Amelia123 Member Posts: 96
    edited July 2014

    Since you are a personal trainer it must be really hard to do so little in the gym.  Hang in there!

  • Ginger48
    Ginger48 Member Posts: 1,978
    edited October 2014

    how is everyone doing?

  • RhodyMMM
    RhodyMMM Member Posts: 455
    edited October 2014

    Hi Ginger, I'm doing great, thanks for asking!! I have really stepped up my exercise; I joined a rowing club, try to go twice a week and two weeks ago I rowed in the Head of the Ohio regatta (which is one of the bigger ones in the country) and our boat took third place! I feel like a little kid with my t-ball trophy! I have never been faithful about exercise, and I have never been athletic so this is huge for me. I hope everyone else in this thread is doing well; it concerns me when we don't hear from people. Hugs to all of you!

    Martha

  • Ginger48
    Ginger48 Member Posts: 1,978
    edited October 2014

    Martha- congratulations. That is quite an accomplishment. Treasure that trophy. I saw your post on the daily exercise thread. Lots of motivation over there. 

    I have started running (I still can't believe those words are coming out of my mouth) and I am loving it! This is a new feeling for me. 

    Hoping some more people check in...

  • glennie19
    glennie19 Member Posts: 6,398
    edited October 2014


    I always wanted to try rowing.  It looks like fun. 

    3 weeks post HX,, and I'm walking,,,, hopefully back to gym in one more week.

  • Amelia123
    Amelia123 Member Posts: 96
    edited October 2014

    Hi Martha.  Question re: your rowing.  Do you feel any tightness in the chest area when you row?  I had a BMX, and if I do a motion similar to rowing (or something like a lateral pull at the gym) I can feel a slight pull.  It's the same feeling I get when I carry really heavy grocery bags and lift my arms up to unlock the door.  I can't decide if this is my new normal, or if the pulling sensation will go away in time.  What has your experience been like?  

    PS: congrats on your rowing accomplishments.  Pretty impressive!

  • RhodyMMM
    RhodyMMM Member Posts: 455
    edited October 2014

    Hi Amelia, I do feel some tightness after rowing, I am wondering if it might be a slight bit of truncal lymphedema. Although I feel it on both sides of my chest (had only two sentinel nodes out of the left, but all the nodes out of the right). Or it may just be muscular, my chest wall has felt completely different since my surgery (not much sensation at all) so maybe that's why it feel different than usual muscle pain. My BS had told me not to row due to the risk of lymphedema, but my PT said it was okay with a sleeve. I did come across an article on line about a BS in Boston who was doing a research study about rowing and lymphedema; although I can't locate it again. I get the same kind of sensation if I do anything that is strenuous to the upper body.

    Martha

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